The plan today was to post about planning.
I already had the post outlined in my head.
It would have been called Planning a Productive Week.
I’m headed into a busy week, and am keen to get organised and blast my way through my to-do list.
Then fate intervened (I’m a huge believer in keeping an eye out for the little things that come to teach us something).
Firstly I sat down to my to-do list at my desk to find this:
So cute. And of course the first thing I did is Instagram it (well it’d be rude not to)
And while over at Instagram I saw this quote:
“The person who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones” posted by Mama’s Haven (you can see it here).
I like the quote. A lot. And such a perfect start to today’s blog post on being productive. Perfect.
But then I headed on over to Oana’s blog and read this heart-wrenching post.
(Those who follow my blog know childhood cancer isn’t a stranger here – though I cannot compare our experience to Oanas)
That’s when I decided not to talk about productivity, and rather remind myself, about gratitude and making time to be in the moment. To appreciate what we have.
(I try to be as mindful as possible and wrote about it here)
It’s so easy to tie ourselves up in the busyness (and stresses) of everyday life, that gratitude for what we have, right at this moment is placed on the back-burner.
That isn’t to say we shouldn’t be productive, we should. And being organised can make more time for appreciating our lives. But when getting things ticked off the to-do list become more important that being in the moment, then it’s time to readdress the balance.
Today I am going to be productive, and get done what I can. But when I collect the kids, from school, I will down tools and disregard what’s left on my to-do list to be with them. Truly with them. In the moment.
I never feel like I’ve done enough, even if I write a list and do everything on it. IT’s self defeating in many ways. I have a feeling I’ll have to get use to not beating myself up about not doing things when Bean arrives!
I’ve read a few Dr Wayne Dwyer books recently (but unsure which one I took this from) – basically he explains you will NEVER get everything done. We all know this. To-do lists are a nightmare. I keep mine to a minimum. The stuff I must do.
I never feel like I’ve done enough, even if I write a list and do everything on it. IT’s self defeating in many ways. I have a feeling I’ll have to get use to not beating myself up about not doing things when Bean arrives!
I’ve read a few Dr Wayne Dwyer books recently (but unsure which one I took this from) – basically he explains you will NEVER get everything done. We all know this. To-do lists are a nightmare. I keep mine to a minimum. The stuff I must do.
I am a very visual person. If I do not have a to-do -list, I tend to get stressed by all the things I need to do swirling in my head. Once I have them in order on papre, I can always cross the ones that are not necessary, and concentrate working through the rest crossing them out one by one. Today’s list:
tidy up, put on a washing and hoover, – done
check e-mails, -done
cook,
work (1 client),
get credit for my work-phone,
check e-mails,
collect kids from school
work in the evening again 🙂
Perfect list Apple – in that it’s focused on what you need to get done. The problem with some todo lists are they grow and grow!
I am a very visual person. If I do not have a to-do -list, I tend to get stressed by all the things I need to do swirling in my head. Once I have them in order on papre, I can always cross the ones that are not necessary, and concentrate working through the rest crossing them out one by one. Today’s list:
tidy up, put on a washing and hoover, – done
check e-mails, -done
cook,
work (1 client),
get credit for my work-phone,
check e-mails,
collect kids from school
work in the evening again 🙂
Perfect list Apple – in that it’s focused on what you need to get done. The problem with some todo lists are they grow and grow!
Jo, that’s a very good change of plans, and thank you for bringing Oana’s post (and blog in general) to my attention. Heart-wrenching is right, and it really does put things into perspective. My goodness, what a lot of nonsense we concern ourselves with, when the really important things are right in front of our eyes!
Exactly ‘nonsense’ – couldn’t have put it better myself! 🙂
Jo, that’s a very good change of plans, and thank you for bringing Oana’s post (and blog in general) to my attention. Heart-wrenching is right, and it really does put things into perspective. My goodness, what a lot of nonsense we concern ourselves with, when the really important things are right in front of our eyes!
Exactly ‘nonsense’ – couldn’t have put it better myself! 🙂
Thank you for this powerful post Jo and seriously, gratitude should be at the top of everyone’s daily to do list!
“I’m a huge believer in keeping an eye out for the little things that come to teach us something” – I’m right there with ya on this one Jo 🙂
Thanks again and take care. My best to all.
Lyle
Thanks Lyle. I agree, top of the list to gratitude, but it’s surprising how easy it can be to forget!
Sadly, this is so true 🙁
Lyle
Thank you for this powerful post Jo and seriously, gratitude should be at the top of everyone’s daily to do list!
“I’m a huge believer in keeping an eye out for the little things that come to teach us something” – I’m right there with ya on this one Jo 🙂
Thanks again and take care. My best to all.
Lyle
Thanks Lyle. I agree, top of the list to gratitude, but it’s surprising how easy it can be to forget!
Sadly, this is so true 🙁
Lyle